Context No. 3453 of 4322 · Matthew

Matthew 16:22-28: in context

22Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This will never be done to you.” 23But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men.” 24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 25For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it. 26For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life? 27For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will give to everyone according to his deeds. 28Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”

Right after confessing Jesus as the Christ, Peter stumbles badly. When Jesus foretells his suffering and death, Peter takes him aside and rebukes him: far be it from you, Lord; this shall never happen to you. And Jesus answers sharply, get behind me, Satan; you are a hindrance to me, for you are setting your mind not on the things of God but on the things of men.

Peter meant well, but his human wisdom, avoid suffering, resist the cross, cut directly against God's whole purpose of salvation. Then Jesus lays down the way of discipleship: whoever would come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me; whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. The way of the cross runs against every human instinct to save and protect ourselves. To follow Jesus is to lose our life in order to find it, letting go of self-preservation for his sake and trusting that what we surrender to him is not lost but found.

Am I setting my mind on the things of God or the things of men, and am I willing to lose my life for Christ's sake in order to truly find it?

Sources

Matthew 16:24: "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me."
Matthew 16:25: "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it."
Matthew 16:23: "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men."